Centrifugal apparatus



July 16, 1946. E. ROBERTS Re 22,772

CENTRIFUGAD APPARATUS original Fild June 23,1934 f noets-sheet 1 El L sEri EUGN ROBERFS July 16, 1946. E. ROBERTS' Re 22,772

CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Original Filed June 23; 1954- Sheets-Sheet 2fior-nega Reissued July 16, 1946 v CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Eugene Roberts,Hastings, N. Y., assignor to The Western States Machine Company, SaltLake City, Utah, a corporation of Utah Original No. 2,145,633, datedJanuary 31, 1939, Serial No. 732,114, June 23, 1934. Application forreissue June 30, 1945, Serial No. 602,605

18 Claims. Cl. 210-67) This invention relates to the control ofcentrifugal apparatus, particularly of the type used in sugar mills andrefineries, and is intended to provide a simple, effective apparatusbywhich the operation of such centrifugals may be rendered more efficientwhile operating on a shorter cycle and at the same time reducing oreliminating waste of valuable material.

In my Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,719,132 dated July 2,1929, and No. 1,861,978 dated June 7, 1932, there were disclosed certainimprovements or modifications of the invention that Was described inreference to a belt-driven sugar centrifugal and was claimed basicallyin my Letters Patent No. 1,758,901 dated May 13, 1930. Those patentseach disclosed a suspended gyratory sugar centrifugal machine havingdriving means and a self-setting brake combined with manually operatedstarting means, an adjustable automatic rotary timing control andinterconnected sugar washing apparatus. The forms illustrated in saidimprovement patents were adapted particularly to be driven byla directlyconnected electric motor. The timing mechanism of each patent wasorganized so that the throwing of the centrifugal starting lever to fullspeed position, after it had been moved to jog or low speed position tofacilitate unloading or loading the centrifugal basket, acted to startthe machine on an automatically Controlled and adjust-k ably timed phaseof its cycle of operations, including broadly, rst, the purging, second,spraying or washing and, third, the drying and the stopping preparatoryto unloading at low speed.

One of the principal objects of my present nvention is to provideimproved means permitting vseparate collection of different liquidsexpelled from a centrifugal during an operating cycle, and particularly,in the use of the apparatus in the manufacture of sugar, to enable asharp separation between the green liquor or other syrup of relativelylow purity purged from each charge of sugar massecuite or magma and thewash syrup produced by applying washing 'liquidto sugar remaining in thecentrifugal after a part of the spinning cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic control meansfor ensuring operation of the aforesaid syrup separating means at theproper stage of every centrifuging cycle and thereby furtherfacilitating sharp separation of different liquids received on the curbas Well as otherwise rendering centrifugal treatments more efficient.

A further improvement effected by this invention resides in theprovision of improved means allowing driving controls for a belt-drivencen- ,trifugal or the like to be energized and de-energized while thebrake is held in an off position, in order to permit an operator by easymanual control of the machine to cause rotation of the basket at lowspeeds suited for the discharging and the re-loading of the basket, andalso in the provision of means allowing the operator to wash the basketafter each unloading operation, thereby preventing the smearing of theoutlet passages and maintaining the centrifugal at its full eiliciency.

These and other features of the invention will be described in thefollowing specification and will be dened in the claims hereto annexed.

In the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a control apparatusassociated with centrifugal apparatus embodying a practical applicationof the principles of this invention, in which- Fig. 1 is a frontelevation showing one form of the improved control mechanism and oneform Aof the new syrup separator associated with a suspended centrifugalthe basket and curb of which are shown in vertical section in order toexpose the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a detail view illustrating in rear elevation the relation ofparts of the brake and syrup separator actuating mechanisms to theautomatic timer.

i Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the assemblage shown in Fig. 1,centrifugal suspension means being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional plan of the surrounding curb or casingof the centrifugal, showing illustrative means for raising and droppingthe syrup deliecting ring.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views illustrating, respectively, theposition of the shipper shaft cam and the brake actuating pin in thethree successive positions in which the driving clutch is out and thebrake is on; the driving clutch is in and the brake is off; and thedriving clutch is out and the brake is off.

The cycle of sugar centrifugal operations embracing the purging, washingand drying is now so short that there is not time for the centrifugedsyrup impinging against the ycasing wall to flow down the sides andaround the bottom trough of the curb to the usual outlet nozzle quicklyenough to avoid allowing a considerable portion of it to escape into thewash syrup conduit, if attempt is made to separate the Syrups by meansoutside the curb. To hasten the escape of syrup 3 into the syrupcollecting conduit and to avoid undesirable intermingling of wash syrupwith green liquor or other relatively impure syrup, I have provided asimple structure utilizing a shiftable ring element inside the curb tobe moved at appropriate intervals relative to a circular seat on thecurb wall and yet to stay in avisealed relation to a circular partitionwhich divides the curb 'bottom into two separate syrup-collectingconduits or troughs. I also have provided a centrifugal organization socombining this=structure with other elements that the separation of Washsyrup from green syrup may be effected automatically in every operatingcycle at an interval properly determined in relation to the purging,washing and drying phases of the cycle. Further, I have hastened theflow of ySyrups to the point of separation by providing mechanism underthe control of the timer for directing an annular series of fluid jetsagainst the inside Wall of the curb to give a scouring effect andquickly expel-adherent syrup into an appropriate syrup.

collecting trough; and I also .have made provision for cleansing theseat of the deflector ring element at the same time so as to avoidsticking which would follow from the accumulation. of the sticky liquidaround the seat. Provision is also made for momentarily lwashing thebasket, after'dischargingthe sugar treated in each cycle, withoutinterfering with the normal functioning of the automatically controlledspraying appalaws- These improvements of my present invention areillustrated herein as appliedrin practice to a belt-driven centrifugal,in which the gyratory centrifugal basket I, having theusual perforatedlwalland interiorfilter linings (not shown), is'secured to the lower endof a rotary shaft 2 suspended according to well known practice in afixed suspension'hanger 3 topermit gyra'tion against yieldingcentraliz'ing resistance. Belt pulley 4 is secured to the upper endportion of the shaft to lie in the plane of the center of gyration, andbelow the belt pulley there is secured to the shaft a brake pulley 5surrounded by opposing friction brake bands Yt, whose free ends areinterconnected by links 1 with a revoluble head 8 secured to a verticalrock spindle vB, Iwhose upper end is provided with a crank shaft 9aconnected by pivotal links |10 with a brake actuating lever I2, whosehub portion, pivoted upon the stub shaft 32, is enlarged to form acam-like disc or Ahead |2a having a shoulder |2c on one portion thereofand carrying a pivotal latch 36 on another or lower portion.

The starting of the centrifugal is effected by the operator by means ofa hand wheel 4|, fast on the shipper shaft 40, to whose rear end issecured a pinion 42 meshing with a sector gear lever 43 fulcrumedintermediate of its ends and having a lower arm in the form of a fork orclevis 44 engaging an annular groove in a sleeve 45 slidably mounted onthe horizontal line sha-ft 48. A clutch pulley 41 is revolubly mountedon shaft 48 and is frictional-ly 'engaged by centrifugal clutch shoes(not'shown) which are retracted to inactive position by retractinglevers49, Whose outer ends are forced to vshoe-Ietractin'g position bytoggle links 46 pivotally connected with the slidable muff or sleeve 45.Such aclutch is illustrated in my United States'Letters Pate'ntNo.1,884,873.

Rotation of the shipper shaft 4|) clockwise acts4 to flex the-toggles146 and allow the clutch shoes,

through centrifugal force, to form driving engagement with the pulley41, which pulley has driving connection with pulley 4 of the centrifugalby the usual quarter-turn belt.

Control of the brake is provided by means of a rock sleeve 50, which ismounted for partial rotation in a fixed bearing box or member 5| carriedby a hanger 52. A spring tensioning collar 54 is secured adjustably onthe rear portion of the sleeve 50 and around the sleeve is placed ahelical torsion spring 53, Whose forward end is attached to an anchoringpin on the fixed bearing member 5| and whose rear end is held by a -pinprojecting from the adjustable tensioning nut 54,. Beyond the rear ofthe sleeve 5|! a camlike member 51fis secured to the shipper shaft 49.The shoulder of said cam 51 is adapted to engage a pin 56 projectingfrom a disc or collar 55 Secured to the sleeve 56, so that clockwiserotation of the shaft 4D tends, by the thrust of said shoulder, to windsaid spring and increase the counter-clockwise torsional thrust of thespring.

The brake actuating arm I2 is connected by a pivotal link 53 with an arm59 that is fast on the rock sleeve 50, so that clockwise rotation of thesleeve imparted by like rotation of disc 51, pin 56 and collar 55 shiftsthe brake actuating arm 2 to the right or counter-clockwise and willallow dog or detent 35a fast on rock shaft 33 to drop behind theshoulder I2c of the brake arm head l2a and hold the brake lever I2against clockwise rotation that otherwise would be caused by torsionspring 53. An upwardly projecting arm 35 also fast on rock shaft 33overhangs one of the timer cams 61a, hereinafter more particularlydescribed, so that at the proper time in the timed phase of the cyclethe dog 35a is lifted by a finger 68 on such timer cam, whereupon thebrake lever returns to brake-on position by the force of the brakesetting torsion spring 53 and the intermediate connections.

Betweenthe sleeve 50 and shipper wheel 4| there is secured to theshipper shaft 40 an arm 60, which is connected by a pivotal link 6| witha clutch actuating lever 62 fulcrumed on the timer case or box 63 andsecured to a clevis or clutch fork 64, which by clockwise rotationslides the intermittently driven clutch disc 65 into active engagementwith the continuously rotating driving clutch member 66 fast on shaft1'8 that has uninterrupted connection for slow rotation with the timerdriving line shaft 11. When the timer clutch members 65 and 66 are thusengaged, the shaft 19 (Fig. 3) carrying a rotary timer head 61 isstarted on slow rotation at a constant speed. The timer head comprises aplurality of discs or cams 61a having radial ngers or projections 68secured thereto, and the relative angular positions of the discs andtheir fingersY on shaft 19 Vmay be effected by the manipulation of knobssuch as indicated at 61h. .A clock spring 61c urges the timer head to azero or `starting position, as determined by suitable stops (not shown),whenever the timer clutch members 65 and 66 are disengaged. When thesemembers are engaged the head is driven slowly in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. 3) against the tension of spring 61C, with the resultthat the several fingers 68 are brought successfully. afterpredetermined intervals of .timer operation that depend upon theirrespective settings, into engagement With cooperating detent/s ortargetslocated in their respective paths on parts 69 34a,

,.5 14 and 45, respectively, al1 for purposes hereinafter moreparticularly described. Details of such an intermittently driven timerare disclosed in my earlier YUnited States Patents Nos. 1,719,132 and1,956,539 and need not be repeated further herein.

, `As disclosed herein and in my aforesaid Letters Patent, the throwingof the shipper or starting device, 4I herein, to normal drivingposition, at the completion of a manually controlled phase of operationsfor releasing the brake and driving or jogging -the machine at lowspeeds suited for unloading the basket and reloading it to start anotherVcycle of operation, effects the starting of the centrifugalvon thepurging period of its operating cycle and also acts, through link 6I,lever y62, clevis 64 and timer clutch members 65 and vlili herein, toenergize the rotary timer which controls the timing of the diiferentoperations of the centrifugal cycle. The revolving cams of the timer actat adjustably timed intervals after its energization, through thevarious projections or yfingers such as shown at BB, to actuate-thecontrolling connections. The sprayer cutoff valve at 12 has ian upwardlyprojecting valve stem engaged with a rocker arm normally drawn downwardby contractile spring 13 to keep the valve seated or closed. This rockerarm is lifted to open the valve by the downward movement of theconnected oppositely projecting arm 1 I which is pivotally connectedwith a notched latch 69 which is forced downward by one of the timer camprojections 68 until the notch interlocks with a stationary bar or luglll, so that thevalve remains open until another timer cam projection inthe path of the releasing dog or angle latch 14 swings the latch 14clockwise to throw the latch 59 out of interlocked engagement with thestop 10, thereby permitting the contractile spring 13 to instantly closethe cutoff valve; For reasons presently to be described, the detentlatch 69 is provided at its lower end with a handle 16 adapted to begrasped by the operator. Also the arm 1I is connected with a manuallever or handie 15 to permit opening the valve by hand.

It will be understood that the sprayer cutoff valve 12 is located across1a fluid supply conduit 12 leading to a sprayer for directing wash fluidinto the contents of the basket l. The sprayer, which may be of anyknown type, is designated at 'I2b in Figure l. When valve 12 is openedby movement of the timer mechanism, wash fluid is immediately sprayedinto the basket I, land the spray is cut off when the valve is closed.The

apparatus of this invention is constructed so that actuation of thesprayer may be regulated to take effect automatically in any desiredtimed relation to the starting and stopping of the centrifugal and tothe actuation of the syrup separator and washdown jets, to be describedmore specifically hereinafter.

It is desirable, when processing certain types of sugar-syrup mixtures,that the green syrup extracted from the wet sugar during the purgingstep of every cycle be as completely as possible separated from the washsyrup which results from the spraying of a washing liquid against theinterior of the walled up sugar and is expelled centrifugally againstthe surrounding curb or casing I3. In the processing of some grades ofsugar-syrup mixtures, for example in the socalled aination stage of canesugar refining, it is extremely impor-tant to be able to collect anaccurately regulated amount of the wash syrup with the green syrup andto collect the remainder of the wash syrup separately so that thedifferent types of syrups or mixtures of syrups may be used subsequentlyin the manner best adapted to their particular qualities. To permit theattainment of these objectives I have provided an arrangement fordirectly diverting a selected type of syrup, such as green liquor, fromthe entire circumference of the curb into an annular syrup collectingtrough inside the curb, while making provision for shifting a syrupdeflector to idle or inactive position where it allows further liquidreceived on the curb wall, such as wash syrup, to ilow directly intoanother, separate, circumferential collecting trough, the arrangementbeing such that it avoids intermingling of the two types of syrup andsuch that it will continue in effective operation through cycle aftercycle under the adverse conditions occasioned by thestickiness andcrystallization of the Syrups and by the intense windage produced insidethe curb during the high speed rotation of the centrifugal basket ineach cycle.

To hasten the iiow of syrup from the curb Wall into these collectingtroughs, I have also made provision for an annular series of scouringjets, such as steam jets, which :are directed downward against theinside wall of the curb to more rapidly expel the sticky syrup and toaccelerate its movement by the action of heat. I have also providedmeans for directing cleansing steam jets against the deflecting ring soas to keep it clean and prevent the sticking of the defiecting ring toits seat.

I will now describe the mechanism of the deflector ring and its timedactuating control as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it beingunderstood of course that the practical' embodiment of the invention isnot restricted to the described details of construction.

The annular trough-like bottom I4 of the curb I3 is provided with avertical circular partition I5 dividing the curb bottom -into separateinnerv and outer annular troughs III@ab and Mb, respectively, for thereception of different syrups to' be collected separately. Above thispartition I5 is disposed a vertically movable deflector ring I6, whichhas an inner portion I6a overlying the dividing partition I5,and hencethe inner trough, and has also an outer portion or periphery I6h toengage and form a syrup-tight seal in one position of the ring with anannular ledge or seat I1 located on the inside wall of the curb at alevel below the syrup outlets or perforations of the basket I andsomewhat above the top of the dividing partition I5.

The inner portion of the deiiector ring not only overlies the top ofpartition I5 but overlaps it at all times, in anyposition ofthe ring, soas to maintain a sealed relationship causing liquid on the face of thering to'be conducted into the inner trough and preventing the passage ofliquid, under the force of windage inside the curb or otherwise, betweenthe ring and the partition from one to the other of the two syruptroughs I4EL and |41. In the illustrated form, the inner portion of thering comprises downward annularly spaced projections or flanges IBa andlab which straddle the top of the partition for a short distancesufficient to maintain this sealed relationship. Whether the deiiectorring is seated or unseated, i. e., whether its outer periphery I6u issealed against or spaced away from the ledge I1, its inner portioncontinues to overlap thev top portion of the partition, as appears fromFig. 1 and Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Obviously when the deflector ring is dropped upon the annular seatmember l1 all liquid flowing down the inner face of the Wall of the curbwill be deflected into the inner liquid collecting trough, while on theother hand when the deector ring I6 is separated from Ythe seat memberonly a ver-y short dista-nce, as by raising it, the liquid flowing downinside :the `curb wall Will run into the outer collecting trough.

Since the ring stays lsealed with the partition I5 and yet is movable toand away from a position of sealing engagement with member Il, it servesin effect as a ring valve with respect to the outer trough |45. The seatmember I1 and the ring |6 in its relation to the partition normally forman uninterrupted syrup-conducting surface or platform from the curb wallto the inner trough, which surface completely seals 01T the outer troughand is interruptible only at the seat on the curb, to provide a singleannular space between it and the outer periphery of lthe ring, throughthe unseating of the ring. The circular line of syrup separation soprovided at the ledge I1 is everywhere equidistant ,from the curbsurface that receives syrup expelled from the basket, and any syrupflowing :from the curb over this circular line has a certainandinvariable destination, depending upon the position of the ringdeflector. If it is seatedy so as to seal at its outer edge the Syrupmust pass onto the face of the ring, andv the only possible destinationof syrup received on the face of the ring is the inner trough I4aLbecause there is always `a surface to `conduct it there. Further, thering I6 is inclined at an angle to the horizontal .path Aof rotation ofthe basket l., .and this inclination enhances the flow of green syrupinto the inner trough. If the ring is unseated, however, the syrup thenflowing from thercurb wall has free access to and is entrapped into theouter trough, to which it passesover the seat member Il through thespace then existing between it and the ring. .Syrup that has passed theseat ineither condition of the structure is conducted directly to .itsappropriate trough and stays there until draw-n olf, without diversion`into the .inappropriate trough by the windage of the machine orotherwise.

Since 'the only seal to be made when reseating the ring is atone-circular seat on the curb wall that is subject uniformly totheaction of liquid flowing thereover from fthe curb wall, asyruptightrsurface leading to the inner trough can be re-establishedupon each reseating of 'the deflector ring in the use of my invention,without requiringtoo costly or unattainable precision in the manufactureof the sealing parts and notwithstanding the tendency of sugar syrups tocongeal or crystallize on parts of the structure under the conditions ofoperation of sugar oentrifugals. 'Asappearsyin Figs. '1, 3 and 4 of thedrawings, the seat member or ledge Il of the illustrated embodiment isformed with a circular groove or channel |"la holding a circular tubularmember Hb of flexible material such as rubber Vor `the like. .Thisflexible member is located so as to be engaged by the outer peripheryH5b ofthe ring when vthe ring is seated, in which condition it supportsthe weight of the ring. This is effective to secure therequisitesyrup-tight seal upon each seating of the ring even when adhesions ofsyrup orcrystallized sugar occur.

vAsrappears further 'from` the following detailed description and fromthe Adrawings in illustration thereof, suitable actuating mechanism isextended into the curb bottom to engage the deflector ring and move itto `its seated and unseated positions at appropriate stages in the'successive cycles of the centrifugal machine. This actuating mechanismis associated Vwith the centrifugal control combination so as to makethe syrup separator function as an element of that combination inproperly timed coordination with its manually and automaticallycontrolled phases of operation. In particular, as explained more fullyhereinafter, the actuating mechanism for the syrup separator isconnected with the manually operated means provided for releasing orunseating the brake of the machine so that movements of the latter whichplace the brake at olf or unset position yat the end of each centrifugaloperation, usually in preparation for unloading and thereafter reloadingthe basket, will cause movement of the deector ring I6 to its seatedposition; and said actuating mechanism is associated also with anadjustable rotary timer element coordinated with those of my controlcombination so that a movement induced by this timer element at apredetermined interval in the course of each centrifugal operation,usually a considerable time after the start of the washing phase of theoperation, will cause movement of the deflector ring I6 away from ledge|,1 to the unseated position. The syrup separator therefore deliversinto the inner trough I4 all molasses or green syrup discharged from thebasket during the purging period of each cycle or during the loadingperiod that precedes purging, until .the timer element acts to cause ashifting .O f the ring to its unseated position for the` collection ofWash syrup separately in the outer trough |41. Such separate collectionof wash syrup then proceeds during the washing and drying periods whichfollow, until after the stopping or slowing down of the machine.

At three points around the circumference .of the curb there arepivotally mounted rthree lifting paws or fingers 20, 2D and 2.2. Thepawsk 20 are connected by a semiannular bail or ,lever all, which ispivotallyconnected with a vertical link 2E carrying an yactuating Weight26a. The bail is alsoconnected by pivotal link 24 with an arm 25 that issecured tothe pivotalfpaw 22on the opposite side of the pivotal axis,kso that when the weight 26"1L depresses the link 26 the lever bail 2|and lever 25y are depressed, thereby causing the lifting of the fingersor pawsZU, 22 and elevating the ring I6 from itsseat to open theouter'trough to the inflow of the wash liquor. During the purgingoperation of the machine the link 26 is kept in raised position with thedeeC-tor ring I6 resting closely upon the annular ledge or seat l-'I inorder to deflect the centrifuged'syrup or green liquor into theinnertrough. The link 26 is connected with the rocker lever 21 fulcrumedoncthe topvof the curb, which lever in turn is connected by link 28 withanother rock lever 29 whose fartherend is connected by link 31'! withalever 3| which, yduring the'purging-operation, is in .raised orhorizontal position. The lever 3| is pivotally mountedon a. stubshaft-32, which also forms a fulcral support'for the brake lever |:2,andthe hub portion off said lever 3| isA enlarged tofform acamlike disc31a, having an upper shoulder 3lcr and a lower shoulder '3 lb, locateddirectly in front of the brake lever camhead I2a which carriesthe latch36.

When the'lever 3| is in r-aisedposition, that is, horizontal accordingto the drawings, its upper shoulder 3|-= will be engaged by a dog ordetent 34 loosely mounted on the shaft 33 and normally weighted or underspring tension to press against the periphery of the cam head 3|EL so asto drop behind the upper shoulder when lever 3| is in raised position.This dog 34 has an upward extension or arm Jla preferably provided atits outer end with an adjustable contact screw I-Hlb for engagement by arotary iinger 68 on one of the timer cams 51, which is set to lift thedog 34 at the proper time to free the head 3H of the lever 3| and allowthe lever to drop under the gravity action of the weight 26a. Theposition at which the appropriate finger B8 engages and moves detent 34bis the timing-out position of the syrup separator timing element. Theactuating cam element for lifting arm Mla in a counter-clockwisedirection (as the arm is seen in Fig. 2) may be set or timed so thatwhen the wash water valve 12 is opened, or at any appropriate stage ofthe operating cycle thereafter, the dog is released and the deflectorring actuating mechanism is allowed to operate to raise the ring toinactive or unseated position.

'Io drive liquid expelled from the basket and adhering against the curbwall into its appropriate collecting trough, I have arranged a source offluid supply, steam for example, comprising a pipe 80, whose upperbranch leads to a pipe ring 8| having underneath perforationsat'frequent intervals to direct jets of uid downward and against theinside face of the curb |3 so that the scouring and washing action ofthe fluid, and both the heat and the scouring action when steam is used,tend to cause the adhering material to quickly pass down into an opentrough. Another branch f the pipe 80 passes to an annular iet pipe 82arranged below the ledge l1 to direct jets against the deflector ring I6and thereby cleanse the deflector of adherent sticky syrup and preventits sticking to the seat.

The pipe 80 leads from a valve chamber 33, which is connected with thesource of uid supply. Chamber 83 is here shown as mounted on the coverof the timer casing. An upwardly projecting valve stem is engaged with apivoted arm 84, whose lower end 810,BL is positioned to lie in the pathof movement of a swell or projection on one of the cams 61a, which isproperly set to lift the arm 84 and open the valve in order to permitthe flow of fluid through the jet pipes 8| and 82 at the proper pointinthe cycle, for example, before the wash water begins to spray againstthe inside of the walled up sugar in the basket I. The scouring fluidmay be applied after the wash syrup is centrifugally expelled againstthe inside of the curb, since it will act also to accelerate the flow ofthe wash syrup, thereby preventing the mingling of valuable wash syrupwith green liquor of possibly low value from the next cycle', and tofree the deflector ring and its seat from accumulations of stickymaterial. For almost continuous application of the uid to the curb wallthe swell or raised portion of the cam may be continued for such angularpart of the cam circumference as may be found convenient.

Another new feature of improvement herein disclosed is that whichpermits the momentary washing of the basket itself after each unloadingof the centrifugal. With sticky materials the filter linings and thebasket openings are likely in time to become more or less cloggedagainst the rapid escape of syrup or wash syrup. To obviate thistrouble, which leads to ineiiiciency in maintaining rapid circulation ofthe liquids through 10 the sugar, I provide manually controlled meansassociated with the automatic timer mechanism so that after theunloading of thev basket `the sprayer or wash water valve 12 may bemomentarily opened to douche the interior of the basket lining and keepthe passages through the nlter lining and basket wall free from anyobstruction. With this end in'view I havelprovid'ed a handle 15 withinreach of ther operator by which he can momentarily open the valvebylifting the rocker arm through the rearward movement of the handie andmay then immediately release the latch 69 by pulling forward the handle1 6, forming'an extension of the latch 69, to release the latchl againstthe tension of its retracting spring and allow the valve to instantlyclose. This momentary application of the spray by the operator does notin any way interfere with the proper action of the timing mechanism. anddoes contribute very materially to keeping the filter linings and thebasket free from obstruction.

After the brake dog 35EL has been released from the shoulder |2 of thebrake arm head I2, the counter-clockwise thrust of the torsion spring 53operates to set the brake and stop the machine,

while at the same time the pin 5B carried ultimately by the brake sleeve5D acts in a counterclockwise direction to move the cam 51 and shippershaft 4l), which not only disch-gages the centrifugal drive by movementof parts 42, 43,"44

and 45 and the basket driving clutch, but also disconnects the drivenclutch member from the driving member 66, thus releasing the timer andallowing it to return to initial position underv the influence of thereturn spring B1G, as disclosed also in my earlier patents. That is tosay, Fig, 6 illustrates the position of the cam 51 on the shipper shaft40 and the position of the thrust pin 56 on the disc 55 that is fasttothe brake sleeve 50, when the hand wheel 4| has been turned in aclockwise direction to mover these parts from the position shown in Fig.5. In the Fig. 6 position the brake is off and both the driving clutchand the timer clutch are in, while Fig. 5 shows the relation of parts 56and 51 when the brakel is in and the clutches are out, which is theappropriate position to slow down the revolving centrifugal and stop itwithin a predetermined timek interval that will depend on the tension towhich torsion spring 53 is set. As the centrifugal slows down the brakemay be unset and the discharger plow may then be operated by theattendant in the well known manner to unload the basket, but

under so-me conditions the basket may stop before the unloading isperformed. To meet all practical needs, provision is made to allow theoperator to cause further rotation of the basket sufficient to effectthe unloading and also, if desired, to effect the momentary washing ofthe basket and4 its filter lining above referred to prior to re-loadingthe basket, after which the re-loading may proceed while the basket iscaused to rotate at an appropriate loading speed. Accordingly, after thebraking stage of each cycle the operator can turn the hand wheelclockwise, thus unsetting the brake and allowing it to be locked in offposition, as in Fig. 6, and after a brief interval sufficient to give anew rotative impulse to the basket by its driving clutch, the operatormay shift the hand tion. This action was not possible with the completeinterlocking arrangement of the brake and 11 clutch disclosed in myearlier forms of belt driven apparatus.

The resetting of the lever 3| to raised or horizontal position iseffected by the brake lever head I 2% acting through the medium of itsattached pivotal latch 36, which acts when the brake lever head moves tobrake-off position, that is, counterclockwise, to engage the lowershoulder 3Ib of the disc. 3lu and rotate that disc counter-clockwiseuntil the upper shoulder 3|c of the discis engaged by the dog 34. Thelatch 36- is overbalanced so that it is lower and tends to swing intoward the cam 3 l, but the latch is released near the end. of itsdownward travel by the engagement of its upper end with a xed stop pin36a (Fig. 2) so that the latchy does not interfere with the dropping ofthe arm 3| when it is released for the purpose of permitting theactuating weight to cause the-lifting of the deflector ring I6 from itsseat.

It will therefore be seen that any desired separation of mother liquoror other relatively impure syrup from wash syrup may be eliciently conytrolled and performed without undesirable waste or mingling of thesyrups, and also that provision is made for washing the basket and itsfilter linings almost instantaneously by providing suitable manualcontrol by which the slow rotation of the basket may be prolonged andthe wash water valve momentarily opened before or after the basket comesto a complete stop, The handle on the forward end of the rock shaft 33makes it possible for the attendant to release the brake retaining dog348L from the brake lever to permit the brake to return to activeposition immediately after the basket washing ope-ration.

The great resulting advantages of the improvements herein disclosedinclude material savings in the Waste heretofore incurred byintermingling green liquor and Wash syrup, the maintenance of full.efciency of the basket and its lter linings by the provision for washingthem after each complete cycle without appreciable loss of time, and theaccomplishment of a more complete and satisfactory control overcentrifuga] operations.

The advantages stated in. describing the use of the improved apparatusin sugar manufacture are also. of importance in. other fields, as willbe apparent to persons skilled in the art. It will. also be understoodthat the invention is capable of adaptation, to various forms and typesof centrifugal apparatus without departing from the principles ofthedisclosure and the requirements of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. Centrifugal apparatus for purging, washing and drying. sugar or likematerial comprising in combination with suitable driving means and aself-setting brake having actuating` means including means operativewhen active to set the brake with a predetermined force, a manuallyoperable shipper mechanism associated with said brake actuating meansand having actuating connections with the driving means such thatforward movement of the shipper mechanism from. an off position to adriving position engages said driving means and reverse movement thereofdisengages said driving means, cooperating elements connectedrespectively with said brake actuating means andwith said shippermechanism whereby the latter is moved from its dri-ving position to itsoff position as the brake is set and whereby the bra-ke is moved fromits set to its oli position upon forward manual movement of the shipperlmechanism from its be moved freely in eectuating the unloading, theWashing out and the reloading of the centrifugal as desired. l

2. In centrifugal apparatus yfor purging, washing and drying sugar orthe like, the combination; with a driving clutch, a brake and a sprayer,of. associated timing mechanism having rotary timer elements actingrespectively after predetermined intervals oi rotation from startingpositions to start and to stop the operation of the sprayer, ak curbsurrounding the basket of the centrifugalv and having a bottomcomprising inner and outer annular collecting troughs separated by an.intermediate partition, said curb having a circular seat over said outertrough for sealing an annular syrup deflector', an inclined annularsyrup deector overhanging and always overlapping said. partition andmovable downwardly into sealing: engagement with said seat to deect thecen-y trifugal syrup from the curb into the inner trough.

and movable upwardly to inactive position in spaced relation to saidseat permitting the now of centrifuged wash liquid from the curb intotheouter trough, means for normally retaining the deflector in syrupdeflecting position and means actuated by a rotary timer element of saidtiming v mechanism for raising said deilector to inactive position at aninterval adjustably related to thev starting of the sprayer, wherebycentrifuged liquid may be deflected into the. inner trough and washliquid may be collected separately in the outer trough.

3. In centrifugal apparatus, the combination ol a driving clutch, abrake, spring actuated means for setting the brake to stop thecentrifugal, a shipper mechanism connected with said clutch for engagingand disengaging the same, relatively movable means. connectedrespectively with said shipper mechanism and with said brake settingmeans for shifting said brake from active to inactive position when theshipper mechanism is moved to engage the driving clutch, and meansrendered operative upon such shifting of the brake to inactive positionfor releasably holding it there against the force of the brake settingmeans, whereby said shifting meansv are then relatively movable so thatthe shipper mechanism then may be moved independently toclutch-disengaging position while the brake is held at inactiveyposition.

4. In centrifugal apparatus, the combination of a driving clutch, abrake, means including a spring and a rotative sleeve actuated by saidspring for setting the brake to stop the centrifugal, means including aclutch actuating shipper shaft operatively connected with said sleevewhen turned to clutch energizing position to cause rotation of saidsleeve against said spring to brake inactive position, a detent forretaining the brake and said sleeve at brake inactive position againstthe tension of said spring, said operative connection constructed. sothat said shipper shaft is movable to and from clutch energizingposition while the brake setting sleeve is held at inactive position.

5. The combination .with a suspended centrifugal basket, of asurrounding curb whose bottom comprises inner and outer annularcollecting troughs, a vertically movable inwardly inclined deflectorring arranged below the level of the basket over the outer trough tooverhang and always overlap an annular partition between the two troughsand adapted When lowered to'rest upon an annular seat on the curb partlyoverhanging the outer trough and thereby to deflect into the innertrough centrifuged liquor flowing down the inside of the curb, a sprayerto spray wash fluid against the contents of the centrifugal, automatictiming means including a plurality of progressive timing elementsinterconnected to act respectively after predetermined periods ofoperation of the centrifugal, means responsive to the action of one ofsaid timing elements to start the sprayer, and means responsive to theaction of anotherof said timing elements for lifting the arate annularcollecting conduits for such liquid divided by a common annularpartition, a sprayer for directing wash liquid against the contents ofthe basket, an inclined liquid defiector ring located below the level ofthe basket and adapted to rest upon an inwardly projecting annular ledgeof the curb in sealing relation thereto to deflect liquid to the innerconduit, and means for lifting the deflector ring from the ledge toinactive po sition thereby permitting liquid to flow down the inside ofthe curb into the outer conduit, an inner portion of said ring having anannular extension always overlapping the side of said partition thatleads into said inner conduit, in both the deflecting and the inactivepositions of said ring, so that liquid may not pass from said ring intosaid outer trough.

7. In a centrifugal apparatus the combination with a centrifugal baskethaving a foraminous cylindrical wall, a surrounding curb provided withconduits for collecting centrifugally expelled liquid from said curb, anannular ledge adjacent the inside of said curb below the openings in thebasket wall and above said conduits, an annular deflector movable from aposition in which it is supported by said ledge and deflects liquid fromthe curb into one of said conduits to a position away from the ledgepermitting flow of liquid from the curb into another of said conduits,means for moving said deflector away from said ledge, and a jet pipearranged below said ledge to deliver fluid jets against said deflectorto weaken adhesion of the deector to its supporting ledge to preventsticking. c

8. In centrifugal apparatus, the combination of a driving clutch, a self-setting brake, a sprayer, associated timing mechanism acting atpredetermined but variable intervals after starting to start and to stopthe sprayer and to open the clutch and release the self-setting brake tostop the centrifugal, manually operable means formoving the brake to offposition, means for releasably holding the brake in off position, meansoperable manually independently of the timer mechanism for temporarilyenergizing the clutch while the brake is held in off position,

thereby prolonging the revolution of the centrifugal, and means operableby hand independently of the timer for opening and closing the sprayerwhile rotation of the centrifugal is thus prolonged.

9. In a centrifugal apparatus the combination with a centrifugal baskethaving spaced discharge openings through its peripheral wall for theescape of the centrifugally expelled liquid from the basket, of asurrounding casing for receiving the centrifugally expelled liquid, saidcasing having a bottom comprising inner and outer annular troughsseparated by an annular partition, an annular ledge projecting from theinside of the casing wall above said troughs, a vertically -movableinclined defiector ring arranged to be seated upon said ledge anddeflect liquid flowing down said ledge into the inner of said collectingtroughs, and means for raising the deflector ring from the ledge topermit liquid to flow from the casing wall into the outer trough, aninner portion of said ring extending at least to the top of saidpartition in every position of movement of said ring so as to maintain acomplete liquidconducting surface from said ring into said inner troughin every position of said ring.

l0. Centrifugal apparatus comprising, in combination, a curb forenclosing a perforated centrifugal basket, separate inner and outerannular troughs adjacent said curb for collecting liquid flowing downthe inner wall of the curb, said troughs having a common annulardividing partition, an annular deflector ring located inwardly from saidcurb and extending inwardly to a point overlying said inner trough,annular seating means for said deflector on said curb, said denectorbeing adapted in one position to rest upon and seal with said seatingmeans to divert liquid flowing dowr the curb into the inner trough, andmeans for separating said deflector from said seating means to permitliquid flowing down the curb to pass into said outer trough, saiddeflector having annular means extending from its inner portion inoverlapping relation to the top of said partition in every position ofsaid deflector to prevent passage of liquid between the partition andthe deflector.

1l. In a centrifugal apparatus of the filtering type for sugarmanufacture, including a perforate basket and a stationary curbsurrounding the basket and having a bottom and a side wall to receivesyrup expelled from the perforations of the basket, two annular troughshaving an annular dividing partition and located in said bottom belowsaid basket to receive and collect syrup flowing down said Wall atdifferent stages of centrifugal operation, a normally uninterruptedsyrup-conducting surface extending from said side wall over the troughnearer thereto to the trough farther therefrom to direct and conductsuch syrup into said farther trough, said surface defined by a circularseat member on said wall and a movable annular syrup deflector normallyresting in a seated position of sealing engagement with said seat memberand extending therefrom over said nearer trough to overlap saidpartition on the side thereof leading into said farther trough, saiddeflector having a peripheral portion near to said wall operative insaid seated position to engage and seal with said seat member and havingfarther from said wall an annular portion extending to said partition inevery position of movement of said deflector so that syrup may not passbetween the partition and the deilector, and means for shifting saidannular deflector to an unseated position, at which it is spaced fromsaid se'at member and yet extends as aforesaid to said partition, toprovide a single continuous annular passage through said surface intosaid nearer trough between said peripheral portion and said seat member,through which passage syrup flowing down said wall will pass into saidnearer trough.

12. In a centrifugal apparatus of the filtering type for sugarmanufacture, including a perforate basket and a stationary curbsurrounding the basket and having a bottom and a side wall .to receivesyrup expelled from the perforations of the basket, two annular troughshaving an annular dividing partition and located in said bottom belowsaid basket to receive and collect syrup.

flowing down said Wall at different stages of centrifugal operation, anormally uninterrupted syrup-conducting surface extending from said sidewall over the trough nearer thereto to the trough farther therefrom todirect and conduct such syrup into said farther trough, said surfacedefined by a circular seat member on said wall and a movable annularsyrup deflector normally resting in a seated position of sealingengagement with said seat member and extending therefrom over saidnearer trough to overlap said partition on the side thereof leading intosaid farther trough, said deflector having a peripheral portion near tosaid wall operative in said seated position to engage and seal with saidseat member and having a portion farther from said wall overlapping saidpartition as aforesaid in every position of movement of said deiieotorso that syrup may not pass between the partition and the deflector, andmeans for shifting said annular deflector t an unseated position, atwhich it is spaced from said seat and yet maintains said overlappingrelation with said partition, to provide a single continuous annularpassage through said surface into said nearer trough between saidperipheral portion and said seat member, through which passage syrupflowing down said Wall will pass into said nearer trough, said annulardeflector being inclined to an angle to the path of rotation of saidbasket soas to enhance the flow of syrup therefrom into said farthertrough.

13. Centrifugal apparatus comprising, in combination, a curb forenclosing a perforate centrifugal basket and having a cylindrical sideWall and a bottom, an annular partition dividing in said bottom separateinner and outer annular troughs for collecting separately liquidsexpelled from the basket at different stages of each cycle ofcentrifugal operation, said wall having an annular member over saidouter trough providing a circular sealing seat for an annular deflector,a movable annular deflector disposed adjacent said member and extendinginwardly therefrom to overlie said partition of the inner trough, saiddeector having an outer periphery formed to engage and produce asubstantially fluid-tight seal with said seat and having an innerportion outer trough and movable back to a seated position at which saidouter periphery engages and seals with said seat and liquid flowing downsaid wall is conducted over said deector to said inner trough, andmechanism extending into the bot- `appropriate intervals in thesuccessive cycles of centrifugal operation.

14. Centrifugal apparatus comprising, in combination, a curb forenclosing a perforate-centrifugal basket and having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom, an annular partition dividing in said bottom separateinner and outer annular troughs for collecting separately liquidsexpelled from the basket at different stages of each cycle of`centrifugal operation, said wall having an annular member over saidouter trough providing a circular sealing seat for an annular deflector,a movable annular deflector disposed adjacent said member and extendinginwardly therefrom to overlie said partition of the inner trough, saiddeflector having an outer periphery formed to engage and produce asubstantially fluid-tight seal with said seat and having an innerportion comprising annularly spaced depending flanges straddling andoverlapping the top portion of said partition in every position oi'movement of said deflector so asto' maintain at all times asubstantially uninterrupted liquid-conducting surface from the deflectorinto the inner trough, said defiector being movable to an unseatedposition away from said member at which liquid flowing down said sidewall passes between said deiiector and said member into saidouter troughand movable back to a seated position at which said outer peripheryengages and seals with said seat and liquid flowing down said wall isconducted over said deflector to said inner trough, and mechanismextending into the bottom of said curb to engage said defiector andoperable to move said deflector to said unseated position and saidseated position, respectively, at appropriate intervals in thesuccessive cycles of centrifugal operation.

l5. Centrifugal apparatus comprising, in combination, a curb forenclosing a perforate centrifugal basket and having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom, an annular partition dividing in said bottom separateinner and outer annular troughs for collecting separately liquidsexpelled from the basket at different stages of each cycle ofcentrifugal operation, said wall having an annular member over saidouter trough providing a circular sealing seat for an annular deflector,said member having a circular groove therein and a circular sealingmember held in said groove constituting said seat, a movable annulardeflector disposed adjacent said member and extending inwardly therefromto overlie said partition of the inner trough, said deflector having anouter periphery formed to engage and produce a substantially fluid-tightseal with said seat and having an inner portion extending at least tothe top portion of said partition in every position of movement of Saiddeector so as to prevent at all times the passage of liquid from saiddeiiector between it and said partition into said outer trough, saiddeflector being movable to an unseated position away from said member atwhich liquid flowing down said side Wall passes between said deflectorand said member into said outer trough and movable back to a seatedposition at which said outer periphery engages and seals with said seatand liquid flowing down said wall is conducted over said deflector tosaid inner trough, and mechanism extending into the bottom of said curbto engage said defiector and operable to move said deflector to saidunseated 17 position and said seated position, respectively, atappropriate intervals in the successive cycles of centrifugal operation.

i6. In a centrifugal machine for purging, Washing and drying sugar orthe like, the combination with a perforate centrifugal basket mounted ona basket-carrying shaft, of a sprayer for delivering washing huid ontothe contents of the basket and havin-g a valve for controlling the iiowof such fluid, driving means for rotating the shaft and basket, brakemeans for stopping the same, manually operated means connected with saidbrake means and said driving means for moving the brake to ofi positionand for actuating said driving means so as to start each operating cycleof the machine, automatic control means including a plurality ofprogressive timer elements and a timer detent in the path of eachelement and movable thereby, some of said detents having actuatingconnections with said sprayer valve and with said brake means and saiddriving means for terminating the purging, washing and drying periodssuccessively at timed intervals and causing the stopping of the basketin each of the successive operating cycles, a stationary curbsurroundingthe basket and having a bottom coinprising inner outer annularsyrup-collecting troughs separated by an intermediate partition, acircular seat on the curb over said outer trough for vsealing a syrupdeiiecto-r, a movable inclined syrup deiiecting ring having an innerportion overlapping the top portion of said partition on the sidethereof that leads into said inner trough in every position oi movementof said ring and having an outer periphery formed to engage and sealwith said scat, actuating means extending into said bottom in engagementwith said ring to move the same to an unseated position at which saidouter periphery is spaced from said seat to provide an annular passagefor the flow of liquid from the curb into said outer trough and to aseated position at which said outer periphery engages and seals withsaid seat and liquid flowing down the curb is deliected over the intosaid inner trough, timing means including one of the aforesaid timerelements having .its cooperating detent connected with said actuatingmeans for moving the same to move said ring to its unseated position inadjustably timed relation to the start of the washing in each operatingcycle, and coacting connections on said actuating means and saidmanually perated means for moving said actuating means to move said ringto its seated position when the brake is moved to ori position at theend of each cycle.

17. In centrifugal apparatus as described in claim 16, manually operatedmeans also connected with said sprayer valve and operable independentlyof said automatic control means for actuating the sprayer valve topermit a washing to clean the basket between the end of one cycle andthe start of the succeeding operating cycle of the machine.

18. In centrifugal apparatus for purging, washing and drying sugar o1'the like, the combination with a perforate centrifugal basket mounted ona basket-carrying shaft, of a curb surrounding the basket and having abottom comprising inner and outer annular syrup-collecting troughs sep-18 arated by an intermediate partition, a circular seat on the curb oversaid outer trough, a movable syrup deflecting ring having an innerportion extending at least to the top portion of said partition in everyposition of movement of said ring so that syrup may not pass between thepartition and the ring, and having an outer periphery formed to engageandk seal with said seat, actuating means extending into said bottom inengagement with said ring to move the ring to an unseated position atwhich said outer periphery is spaced from said seat to provide anannular passage for the flow of syrup from the curb into said outertrough and to a seated position at which said outer periphery engagesand seals with said seat and syrup flowing down the curb is deiiectedover the ring into said inner trough, a sprayer having a normally closedvalve and adapted to direct washing fluid into the basket when saidvalve is open, driving means connected with said shaft for rotating thebasket, means operable manually and connected with said driving meansfor activating and for inactivating the same, brake means :for stoppingrotation of the basket, manually operable means for unsetting the brake,means interconnecting the drive inactivating means with said brake meansso that the driving means is rendered inactive upon. the setting of thebrake, timing means rcomprising a plurality of coordinated progressivetiming elements each comprising at least one movable ringer, a detentnormally in the path of movement of each iinger and movable by suchfinger and means for advancing each iinger slowly through a path betweena starting position occupied by the finger when the element is inactiveand a timing-out position at which the finger engages and nieves itscooperating detent, means operable to start the opera-tion of saidtiming means when said driving means is rendered active to start anoperation or purging, washing and drying sugar or the like in saidbasket, connections between said sprayer valve and the detent in thepath oi one of said fingers whereby said one finger at its timing outposition opens said valve to start washing the contents of said basketafter a predetermined period ci purging, connections between saidactuating means and the detent in the path of a second or said fingerswhereby said second finge-r at its timing out position causes movementof said syrup deflecting ring to said unseated position at an intervalpredetermined in relation to the start of washing, connections betweensaid sprayer valve and the detent in the path o-E a third of said ngerswhereby said third finger at its timing out position closes said valveto sto-p the washing after a predetermined period of washing,connections between said brake means andthe detent in the path of afourth of said fingers whereby said fourth finger at its timing outposition causes the brake to become set after a predetermined period ofdrying, and connections between the second-recited manually operablemeans aforesaid and said actuating means whereby the syrup deecting ringis moved to said seated position upon the movement of said brake tounset position.

EUGENE ROBERTS.

